Cleveland: Fish in a Barrel

Working this week in Cleveland, I pick up the Plain Dealer, still one of my favorite newspapers because they do actual investigative reporting. TV clowns, take note.

They always do an opinion question, and instead of the actual man-on-the-street, now you can respond electronically. Here's Monday's question:

What should be the top priority for Cleveland's new schools CEO, Eugene Sanders?

One of the answers was the following:

Students should start reciting the Lord's Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. It would instill pride in them.
[AddressHidden]@aol.com

Now I'll admit this sort of Judeo-Christian ethic to the exclusion of other religions is not the exclusive province of Cleveland. As America goes, Cleveland is actually quite liberal politically, one of the few blue-state strongholds in Ohio actually. (Not that politics and religion always intersect on those angles, but hey, I'm sure it's a coincidence that Bush is pounding the anti-gay marriage thing again and we're having mid-term elections)

Anyway, I know a fundamentalist when I see one, and as a misquoting relative of mine is fond of malapropping, messing with them is easy as "eating fish in a barrel." So over the past 18 hours, this is a verbatim transcription, misspellings and all, of our e-mail exchange (I've deleted their e-mail address, but if you want to find it, it's easy enough to do so on the Plain Dealer's website)

Me: Pledge of Allegiance? I agree. Lord's Prayer? What about the non-Christians, or don't they count?

Bible Thumper: I said "students', that should cover Christians and non- Christians, and where, and who is Christian, a person is not a Christian until he or she becomes Christ-like, and where can we find some one who is Christ-like.We are supposed to be striving to become Christ-like, but few are.That is what is wrong with people, there is only one God, no matter what their religion is, and religion is man made.And going to Church does not make one a Christian.No one is Christ-like because there is too much hate in the world, and jealousy he world is not connected to their Heavenly Father, our Creator, Children do not know their Heavenly father, much less their earthly father. Man has replaced god's laws with his own.And as far as non Christians, they will to answer to God if they do not repent."Spare the rod and spoil the child", man has changed that, that is why our children are crazy, on drugs, beating up people and killing. These are the non-Christians, Children have to be taught to be a Christian(Christ-like, they are taught to beat up homeless people, kill, do drugs, disrespect their parents and the laws of the land. Being is to love your neighbor, as you do yourself, keyword being love,and there is no love in the world any more.Only hate, the world hate the poor. Children learn hate at home, and take it into the world when they leave home, that is why the world is so infested with hate. I see the mottos in advertisements God
Bless America, well guess what, America does not Bless God by taking his name out of everything, schools, state departments, pledge of allegiance.So, that is why so much is going on in America.If America hate God, there is only going to be chaos in America.and Non-Christians are sinners, and we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.So who is really a Christian, who is really Christ-like.The world have been hating Jesus over 2000 years, if a person does not believe in Jesus Christ, that person hate Him.If America does not want its young to know Jesus Christ, the devil will take over their lives, and that has happened,One must serve Jesus Christ, (do his work), or one will serve the devil(do his work), but one must serve one or the other.One cannot have two masters.

BT (A second e-mail in case I didn't already get the point):
I never said no one counted, that is the mind set of America, a lot of people do not count, If a person is a non Christian, I guess you are speaking of another religion, that person is still only serving one God, the one God that person will have to answer to .Religion means nothing,if one is serving other gods,people make gods out of anything, children houses,husbands,cars, and do not forget money.so, these things are their gods.They are not serving the one true God.

Me: Look, don't muddy the debate here, I'm saying you are trying to use public money to force your beliefs on other people. Because what I'm hearing you say is, under your belief system, there is only one God, the Christian God, and that's fine, I respect your beliefs. But for you to say that everyone should be forced to pray to that Christian God whether or not they believe, that's intolerant and wrong. In fact, it's downright un-American. America was founded on religious freedom. Now you want to force everyone to believe in (or at least give lip service to) a certain God, your God. That's why we left England in the first place.

BT: The government is forcing people what to do with public money, not me.Why are you angry, because you hate God too.You are trying to force you beliefs on me,what public money am I using, I am a private citizen.You proved what I said to be true, tooo much hate in the world, you are full of hate. There is only one God, how man Gods do you think there are?I can see the devil rising up in you, when someone speak about God, and they become angry, it is hate.the devil is your father, I see that, since America is so color struck, I guess they hate God, because of the color of his skin, God is not blond, blue-eyed with long stringy hair as depicted, the book of Revelation,1:15, says "His feet were like unto fine Brass as if they burned in a furnace", and we all know Brass is not white.so, why would America depict Him as white and He is not?America lie about everything, Indians, slaves, Immigrants, and this is a country of immigrants, I am not muddying up anything, you do that when you became angry. what make you think I have to go along with what you say, people like you want to tell people what to do, and they are supposed to listen or believe it, i believe and trust no one but, God.

Me: Why is it every time someone disagrees with a zealot of a particular religion, they are accused of being an infidel? All I said was, given your comment in the paper, it seems as though you would like to force the Christian God down the throats of non-Christians. Given your latest reply, I see that I was correct in my original assumption, and so, this conversation is over. You have proven yourself incapable of any debate which falls outside the bounds of your rather aggressive religious dogma. Good day to you.

And so it was... over that is. Either that or they're out protesting at an abortion clinic and I'll hear back later... But I ain't holdin' my breath.